Can-opener



No. 608,575. Patented (Au 9, I898. m. F. CONNETT.

can: OPENER.

(Application filed Jan. 10, 1898.)

(Nb Model.)

wrzesesa TERS 00.. FNOTO-LITHQ, wunmc'ron n c U TTED TATns ATENT J Pr ce.

MATTHEW F. CONNETT, or SAN AnToNro, TEXAS, ASSIGNOR TO LAYTON Y. HANCOCK, or BEXAR COUNTY, TEXAS.

CAN-OPENER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of LettersPatent No. 608,575, dated August 9, 1898. Application filed January 10, 1898. Serial No. 666,134. (No model.)

T at whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, MATTHEW F. CONNETT, a citizen of the United States, residing at San Antonio, in the county of Bexar and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Can-Openers; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enableothers skilled in the art to which it IO appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to can-openers. I 5 The object of the invention is to provide a simple, cheap, easily-constructed device by which the tops of ordinary sheet-metal cans may be quickly cut preparatory to' removal by the exercise of very little exertion on the ing the hands of a person opening a can will be entirely obviated.

Further, the object of the invention is to provide a can-opener of such construction 2 5 that by its operation a smooth edge not liable to injure a person handling a can after having its top removed by the device will be produced. 1 1

Further, the object. of the invention is to provide a can-opener of such construction that cans of varying sizes and shapes may all have their tops out with equal facility.

With these objects in view the invention consists of a can-opener comprising a blade or cutter vertically adjustable to allow it to be forced into a can-head to be cut, means substantially as hereinafter described for retaining'the cutter or blade in operative position, and a roller adapted to bear on the can and by its revolution force the can head against the cutter. a

The invention consists, further, of a canopcner comprising an adjustable holder whereby cans of different sizes may be retained in position during the cutting of their heads, a vertically-adjustable blade or cutter, a support for the blade or cutter, and a revoluble-roller alsomounted on the support and adapted to come in contact with the can when 50 retained in place by the holder and to move the can against the blade or cutter.

the device, which may be of any suitable form, size, and material, being preferably composed of cast metal.

part of a user and whereby the danger of cut The invention consists, further, in various novel details of construction whereby the objects of the invention are attained and the effectiveness of the device insured.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of the canopener, showing by dotted lines a can in position to have its head out. Fig. 2 is a side view. Fig. 3 is a rear view of the frame carrying the blade or cutter and of the means for'attaching the frame to its supports and for forcing the blade orcutter into a can-top; and Fig. 4 is an inverted plan view of the base of the device, showing the means for holding cans of varying sizes in position during cutting.

In the drawings, A represents the base of Formed with or permanently attached to the base is an upright support B, shown in the present form of embodiment of the invention as composed of one piece of metal bent uponitself and having its ends terminating in the ;base A. Mounted on the support 13 is'a frame 0, having four guides 0 receiving the support B. Rigidly attached to the front face of the frame Cis a blade or cutter D, having an oblique beveled cutting edge cl. The blade is detachably connected to the frame Oby a set-screw d, facilitating the removal of the blade for sharpening or for substituting a new blade when one becomes worn.

Formed with or attached to the frame C is a plate E, located adjacent to the blade or cutter D and a distance from the cutter corresponding to the distance from; the side of the can itis desired that the cutting in the head shall take place. i I The'plate is bent rearward at its lower end. to offer no obstruction tothe entrance of the wall of the can between the plate and the blade D.

F represents a clamp composed of the arm f, having an opening in its lower end of a size and form corresponding to that of one side of the support B and capable of I sliding freely on the support. Arranged between the arm f and one of the guides c of the frame 0 is a coil-spring f which tends to keep the arm at its lowest position, with the opening therein in line with the side of the support received by the opening. An eccentric G, having an arm 9 and a handle g attached thereto, is pivotally connected to the arm f, aml the occentric bears on the upper face of the frame 0.

Arranged upon a shaft 71, having bearings in the frame C and the blade or cutter I), is a wheel or roller If, having a roughened, toothed, or serrated periphery. The wheel or roller is so arranged that its edge is slightly below the upper portion of the blade or cutter. An arm It, having a handle ha, is keyed or otherwise permanently attached to the shaft 71., and by this means the wheel or roller may be given rotation.

1 represents a holder by which the outer lower face of a can to be cut is engaged dur ing cutting. The holder consists of the bar bent as shown to form two confining sides. In the center of the bar is a plate 11, upon which the bottom of a can is designed to rest. Attached to the plate is a rod i, sliding in a groove t in the base of the device. One side of the rod ii is roughened for engagement with a friction-catch J. This catch .I is pivoted in the base of the can-opener and has an openingj through it for the passage of the red. A spring J presses against the catch and tends normally to keep the cdge in contact with the rod 2', thus preventing the outward movement of the rod, although permitting the free inward movement thereof. By pressing the catch rearward the same is removed from the rod and free outward movement of the rod is permitted.

In the use of the opener a can is placed on the base A between the holder and the support I), and the holder is then pushed firmly inward, confining the can between the two. After this the frame 0 is lowered to bring the point of the blade or cutter to bear upon the top of the can. \Vhen this is done, the arm 9 of the eccentric is moved to bring the wider part of the eccentric to bear upon the upper part of the frame C. The first of this movement binds the arm upon the support, and a continuation of the movement results in forcing down the frame, causing the blade or cutter to pierce the top of the can. If the top is not pierced a sufficient distance at the first operation, the eccentric may be partially released, allowing the spring f to force the end of the arm inclosing the support downward. Then a turning of the eccentric will force the blade or cutter the desired distance into the head of the can and will also bring the roll it to bear upon the top edge of the can. \Vhen the blade is introduced, the

wheel or roller If is rotated, and the result is that the can is turned against the blade,

making a clear cut of the metal of the top of the can near the edge thereof. The result of the cutting by the beveled bladeis to force down the cut edge, forming a bead, which is smooth and cannot injure the hand of a person handling it.

In the cutting of the head of a round can no guiding by the hand is necessary, but when a square can or one of. any shape other than round is to be cut the use of the holder may be dispensed with and the can guided by hand.

Ilaving thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A can-opener comprising a verticallymovablc frame, a blade or cutter on the frame, supports on which the frame is mounted, and a clamp for forcing the frame downward and retaining it in any desired position composed of an arm, having an opening receiving one of the supports and an eccentric pivoted to the arm and bearing on the top of the frame, substantially as described.

2. A can-opener comprising a blade or cutter, a vertically-movable frame on which said cutter is mounted, a wheel or roller having a serrated periphery and mounted on the frame, supports on which the frame is capable of moving, and a clamp composed of an arm having an opening receiving one of the supports, and an eccentric pivoted to the arm and bearing on the top of the frame, substantially as described.

A can-opener comprising a blade or cutter adapted to move vertically, a support for the cutter, an adjustable holder for retaining a can in position adjacent to the cutter consisting of the angular bar arranged. on the base of the device, the rod connected thereto, and the friction-catch, and means for moving the can against the cutter, substantially as described.

4. A can-opener comprising a blade or cutfor having an oblique and beveled cutting edge, a vertically'adjustable frame on which the cutter is mounted, supports on which the frame is arranged, means for retaining the frame at any desired position on the supports, and means for retaining the lower end of a can comprising the angle-bar, the rod con nected to the bar, and the friction-catch, and means for rotating the can and for moving it against the cutter, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

\Vitnesses:

L. Y. IIANCUCK, S. L. MeAnoo.

IIU 

